10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,302 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Toyota Tacoma miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2004 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jul 272021

Tacoma

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on a highway at the posted speed and suddenly the front right wheel broke off the vehicle and caused me to roll 6 times on the highway and I was wrongly accused of being at fault.

- Denison, TX, USA

problem #29

Sep 292022

Tacoma

  • miles
Took Toyota Tacoma (2004) to have loud sound coming from under truck checked by a reputable mechanic. Told that the frame was rusted beyond repair & leaf springs were about to fall out. Mechanic said vehicle was not drivable. The recall (which ended in 2019) was never received even though we bought vehicle new & have not changed address since 1998. Recall should be extended. Toyota should be forced to fix the problem and not on their timeline. The noise became evident approx. 5 months ago & got louder. The truck is sitting in our garage & could be taken to any interested party for inspection. Thank you

- Cumberland, RI, USA

problem #28

Jun 292020

Tacoma

  • miles
My frame is rusting out where rear springs connect to the frame. Truck is non inspectable for Maine. There was a recall at some point and I never got recall paperwork.

- Milbridge, ME, USA

problem #27

Jun 052021

Tacoma

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The entire frame has rusted from front to rear. Gas and brake lines have also rusted out along with many other parts. Can not find where to find a recall notice.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #26

Nov 272020

Tacoma

  • miles
2004 Tacoma frame so rotted that upon hitting a large hole would finish off the rusted frame. This type of rust and erosion is not from normal wear.. this is due to the manufacturing of the vehicle and they will not replace. They say they are aware of it.. but time lapsed to get it fixed"? so what now I am out $15K on a 16 year old truck. Since when did recalls have an experation date?"

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

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problem #25

Nov 152020

Tacoma

  • 102,000 miles
Had frame replaced due to recall in 2014 and now the frame is cracked again. Local Toyota will not replace claimed warranty is 15 years from first ownership.

- Hinsdale, NH, USA

problem #24

Nov 192019

Tacoma

  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I found a hole in the frame and was advised as to not drive vehicle. I learned that a recall had expired only 6 months ago and was not going to be repaired from Toyota. $12000 was estimate and I complained that I was never contacted. I am the second owner but had maintained vehicle to keep for many years. I am on soc security and this has been a hardship on me. I hope there is a way of compensating me or helping me as the dealer offered half of blue book for a trade in. Thank you

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #23

Jul 012019

Tacoma

  • 155,000 miles
This vehicle has excessive frame rot like other Tacoma that were recalled.

- Royersford, PA, USA

problem #22

Jun 072019

Tacoma

  • 122,500 miles
My 2004 Toyota Tacoma was "recalled for undercoatinhg" which was done 02/11. In 2017, on advice from my private, professional mechanic he informed me to contact Toyota about corrosive rusting of frame. It was inspected by the dealership, I purchased it from. In 2018, it was inspected and, passed, again. 2 weeks ago, I found a crack in my frame, sligtly in front of left rear, tire well, by gas tank. I will be taking it to a dealership, for frame inspection tomorrow. I don't feel safe, driving it. I'm disabled and, I am the trucks 2nd owner. I purchased my 04 in, 2006. It is in great condition. Mileage, 122,500. Ironically, the tire hanger plate has been recalled and, replaced around 2014. In 2017 my protective plate, fell and, dropped the gas tank. It was, broken in 1/2. my mechanic secured it and, upon inspection it passed at a Toyota dealership. I asked if it was possible to replace the protective plate and, I was told "no." I asked for an explanation and, wasn't given one. It was the same dealership that "undercoated, " my truck. The dealership where I purchased my truck performed a 2+hr inspection on the frame in 2017. The dealership that "undercoated, " my truck only had it in the repair area, for 15mins and, brought it back out, stating they "hammer-tested" it and, it was in great shape? I'm worried sick over my outcome, tomorrow. I'm in no financial postion to replace my truck. A truck I was told would last up to 300,000'miles. I did complain to Toyota headquarters in 2018, was given a claim number I called them when I found the crack, in the left-side, rear of my frame, this, past Friday. I had been hearing a "rattle, " from beneath my truck, the last few times, I had driven it. I barely had to bend over, to see the crack in my frame! this is a horrificly, dangerous condition. (it was parked and, not running, when I found the crack, in the frame.

- Medway, OH, USA

problem #21

Jun 062019

Tacoma

  • 184,034 miles
2004 Toyota Tacoma frame rusted through, hole you can put hand through. Toyota never issued recall, claims corrosion campaign was over. I never received any notice, I am the original owner. Toyota says I am on my own for replacement. Found issue at my brother's had to leave truck unsafe to drive. Will add photos after I get back to vehicle.

- Falling Waters, WV, USA

problem #20

Nov 142018

Tacoma

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently purchased this 2004 Toyota Tacoma and took it in for an inspection of the frame for undercoating. The body shop noted severe corrosion of the frame with suspension parts that are also full of corrosion. I was told this vehicle was not safe to drive due to this rust issue. I was told if this vehicle was involved in an accident there would be serious injury or death because of this rust/corrosion. I need the manufacturer to take care of this for some reason this vehicle's frame was not recalled but the body shop stated this should have had a safety recall on this frame due to the amount of rust that is noted under the vehicle on the frame and suspension parts.

- Pembroke, VA, USA

problem #19

Mar 272018

Tacoma

  • 146,510 miles
Purchased 04 Tacoma double cab 4X4 onlynto later find frame rot by the shocks and wheels. I didn't see this initially upon inspection. I thought there was only surface rust until I had the truck on a lift for inspection and was advised of perforations. Needless to say it won't pass inspection. Did some research and found that Toyota's class action settlement only included 05-10 Tacoma's. also found that there may have been a warranty extension but according to the dealer, that expired. Toyota won't do anything for me so now it's up to me to repair the frame, if it's even repairable. How could Toyota put out a product and not stand by it, or at least cover the frame replacement? Toyota really needs to cover all vehicles with this problem regardless of age of vehicle and this should never expire. I understand that the cost of a new frame is about $5000, and with labor, runs up to about $15K. Toyota needs another class action suit filed against them asap!!!

- North Babylon, NY, USA

problem #18

Feb 282018

Tacoma

  • 113,000 miles
Vehicle has 113,000 miles on it but is undriveable because frame is rusted through.

- Yellow Springs, OH, USA

problem #17

Feb 162016

Tacoma

  • miles
My 2004 Toyota Tacoma frames is rusted and cracked. I will not pass inspection stick in MA this year. 2005 -2009 Tacoma vehicle are having the frame replaced by the dealership at Toyota's expense. Why the cut off with one year in difference. I would like some help to get this frame replaced like other Toyota owners/

- Norwood, MA, USA

problem #16

Sep 082017

Tacoma

  • 112,418 miles
9/8/2017, while working on my 2004 Tacoma I found a 3 inch and a 1 inch rust holes in the frame near the left rear wheel. Near the right wheel I found a 1 inch hole. All it took was a tap with a hammer. How safe is that?

- Danielson, CT, USA

problem #15

Jun 012017

Tacoma

  • 113,000 miles
Frame rusted through stationary

- Elkhorn, NE, USA

problem #14

Jun 072017

Tacoma

  • miles
Just got my truck back from the mechanic today, 6/7/2017, for the annual state inspection and he indicated the frame is not looking good and safety will be a concern soon. The truck was undercoated on the recall, applied directly over the existing rusted frame back then. I called the Toyota dealer who did the undercoating and the service manager told me Toyota has no further obligations since the vehicle was undercoated. This was not an ample resolution to an ongoing defect.I was also told at the time, I had no choice or say in the matter. I'm having concerns now for my safety and Toyota should resolve this responsibly. I'm the original purchaser of the vehicle, it has been well maintained with about 101,000 current miles on the odometer.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #13

Mar 182017

Tacoma

  • 188,000 miles
Remote key unlock is inop. I've ordered a new remote - 2 in fact- neither will program. Vendor is saying that there must be something inoperative internally in the Tacoma electronics. The lock works; however the unlock will not work. Vehicle was stationary, parked in both occassions testing the new remote.

- Indialantic, FL, USA

problem #12

Aug 102016

Tacoma

  • 112,000 miles
The frame of my truck has rusted from the inside out and is no longer stable to hold the truck together. When having tires put on the mechanic showed me the issue and stated that the truck is to dangerous to drive. Since then I have discovered that many owners are having this same problem and the company is unwilling to stand behind their product.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #11

Dec 312015

Tacoma

  • 118,400 miles
Frame rot not covered by Toyota

- New Bedford, MA, USA

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